CREATIVE TIP OF THE WEEK: How to use the dynamic live shape tools in Adobe Illustrator

How to use the dynamic live shapes tools in Adobe Illustrator. Discover how to level up your graphics shapes with the updates to these handy tools.

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Rectangle Tool

  1. Select the Rectangle Tool from your toolbar.
  2. Draw your rectangle or hold down shift to draw a square.
  3. Look for the inner ‘widgets’ (small circles) and drag them to round the corners to your desired shape.

Rounded Rectangle Tool

  1. Select the Rectangle Tool from your toolbar.
  2. Draw your rectangle or hold down shift to draw a square.
  3. Look for the inner widgets (small circles) and drag them to round the corners to your desired shape.

Ellipse Tool

  1. Select the Ellipse Tool from your toolbar.
  2. Draw your oval or hold down shift to draw a circle.
  3. Look for the outer widget (small circle) on the right hand side of the shape and drag it to create a cut out of your circle at different angles.

Polygon Tool

  1. Select the Polygon Tool from your toolbar.
  2. Look for the outer widget (small diamond) to increase or decrease the number of sides. This tool now also creates triangles.
  3. Look for the inner widgets (small circles) to round the corners of your chosen shape.

Star Tool

  1. Select the Star Tool from your toolbar.
  2. Look for the outer widget (arrows pointing up and down) to increase or decrease the number of points.
  3. Look for the inner widgets (small circles) to round the corners of your chosen shape.
  4. Look for the very inner widget or very outer widget on the right (blank circles) to increase or decrease the inner and outer radius of the star.

TIPS:

  • Remember that holding the shift tool is very useful for keeping proportions correct.
  • Spend time experimenting with how many different versions of a shape you can create.
  • Think about what effect layering different shapes might have.

We’d love to see your results on socials. Tag @makeitindesign #makeitindesign.

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